Farm Fountain is a system for growing edible and ornamental
fish and plants in a constructed, indoor ecosystem. Based on the
concept of aquaponics,
this hanging garden fountain uses a simple pond pump, along with
gravity to flow the nutrients from fish waste through the plant roots.
The plants and bacteria in the system serve to cleanse
and purify the water for the fish.

This project is an experiment in
local, sustainable agriculture and recycling. It utilizes 2-liter
plastic soda bottles as planters and continuously recycles the water
in the system to create a symbiotic relationship between edible
plants, fish and humans. The work creates an indoor healthy environment
that also provides oxygen and light to the humans working and moving
through the space. The sound of water trickling through the plant
containers creates a peaceful, relaxing waterfall. The Koi and Tilapia
fish that are part of this project also provide a focus for relaxed
viewing.

The plants we are currently growing include lettuces,
cilantro, mint, basil, tomatoes, chives, parsley, mizuna, watercress
and tatsoi. The Tilapia fish in this work are also edible and are
a variety that have been farmed for thousands of years in the Nile
delta.

Farm Fountain is a collaborative project by
artists Ken
Rinaldo and Amy
Youngs. We hope you will be inspired to create one yourself.
Please visit our illustrated "How-To" pages
to see how we made our home version and join our free online
forum to share your ideas.